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Kyla Rose Randall, 2, of Stratham, participated in book-based crafts and activities that further promoted the love for reading in children.

NEWINGTON — The recent Book Blast at the Fox Run Mall was a free event that encouraged children to develop a love for literature and learning with interactive crafts, celebrity guest readers and book-based prizes.

Simon malls is encouraging children across the country to develop a love for literature and learning with books. On March 2, Simon Kidgits Club at Fox Run Mall hosted the free annual Book Blast event and invited families to participate.

The Blast offered an assortment of fun book-based activities to ultimately help kids reap the many benefits of reading. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a division of the U.S. Department of Education, children who are read to at home enjoy substantial advantages over children who are not.

Celebrity readers included Robin Albert of the United Way of the Greater Seacoast, Scott Campbell of Langdon Public Library, Layne Case, the author of the Charlie Book Series, and Edra Toth of NorthEastern Ballet Theatre. The event at the Sears Center Court, featured Stars by Mary Lyn Ray, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by Willian Joyce, Charlie by Layne Case and Cinderella by Sarah L. Thomson. In addition to the read-aloud sessions, children had the opportunity to participate in book-based crafts and activities. Fox Run Mall gave out amazing prizes throughout the Book Blast including a Kindle Fire from Best Buy Mobile, autographed copies of Lucas the Traveling Crab, by David S. Rawding, and copies of all the books featured at the event. Kidgits members received a special goodie bag for attending.

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Myles Archer, 5, of Wells, Maine, decorated a library tote at the Fox Run Mall Book Blast March 1st.

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3-8. For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club, visit http://www.simon.com/kidgits/.

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Joshua Gagnon, 5, of Dover, was all smiles as he showed off the book he received as a prize for attending the Book Blast.

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Alexandria Goardino,9, of Portsmouth, received her very own Scooby Doo Story Buddy at the Fox Run Mall Book Blast, an event that encouraged children literacy.

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Adelaide Lemke, 3, of Rochester, took home a new vanity set after attending the Book Blast at Fox Run Mall on Saturday, March 1st.

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Aaron, 7, Seth, 4, and Caleb, 3, of Barrington, were the lucky winners of a toy truck, one of the many prizes that were given out at Fox Run Mall’s Book Blast.

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Jasmine Laferte, 8, of Exeter met with Layne Case, author of the popular “Charlie” book series. Layne Case attended the event as a celebrity reader.